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Alan Magee

Alan Magee

Kennedy back with a winner as Where It All Began just prevails

Sat 1st Jan 2022, 14:06

Where It All Began (right) and Hors Piste battle it out Where It All Began (right) and Hors Piste battle it out
© Photo Healy Racing

Where It All Began runner-up on three of his previous four starts, went one better when touching off hot-pot Hors Piste in a thrilling finish to the Velvet Cap Whiskey Maiden Hurdle.

The Gordon Elliott-trained gelding held a couple of lengths lead when making a mistake and stumbling after the last and Jack Kennedy, who had to give up his rides at Punchestown yesterday with a sore shoulder, certainly had to prove his fitness on the 6/1 chance.

The son of Yeats just held off the renewed effort of French import and 4/7 favourite Hors Piste by a short-head, with the pair pulling 15 lengths clear of Geni De La Cour in third.

Kennedy said, “He’s a grand horse, a big galloper really. He loved that ground and will probably get further as well.

“He got in tight to the last and lost his balance a bit — I nearly came off him. He might have taken his eye off it but he did well to keep going on the run-in and win.

“My shoulder is a bit sore but it’s not too bad.”

About Alan Magee
Alan has worked in the racing industry for well over 30 years including with the Sporting Life, Turform and Irish Racing Services. He took up his current role as Irish Racing Team Leader with the Press Association in 2013. He has a keen interest in most sports and plays golf.